Water treating apparatus



M. J. SHOEMAKER WATER TREATING APEARATUS Filed med. 29, 1939 Dec. 8,1942.

az/ J2 Patented Dec. 8, .1942

wA'rEa TREATING ArrAnA'rus Milton J. Shoemaker, Madison, -Wis., assignorto Research Products Corporation, Madison, Win, a corporation ofWisconsin r 8 Claims. This invention relates to an apparatus forwithdrawing a liquid reagent from a source of supply to a point of useand simultaneously diluting it" with water and preventing the now ofwater into the liquid reagent supply. In ionic exchange water treatingapparatus, the water to be treated is brought into contact with a'bed ofgranular material having the property of ionic exchange,

whereby ions contained in the water are exchanged for ions of theexchange material in a manner such as to effect a desired modificationof the water. After the exchange material has become exhausted, it isregenerated by bringing Application December 29, 1989, Serial No.311,450

. used to the substantial exclusion of other acids.

in contact with it a dilute aqueous solution of an" agent having ionswhich it is adapted to exchange for ions of the exchange material torestore the exchange material to its original character and composition.The invention relates particularly to improvements in apparatus andmethods for bringing a liquid regenerating agemt into contact with an'ion. exchange material.

However, the invention is adapted for use in any situation where it isdesired to withdraw a liquid reagent from a supply thereof and dilute itfor use, and also prevent the diluting water from entering the reagentsupply. For example, it

may be used for bringing a liquid sterilizing agent into contact with abody' to be sterilized.

The type of ionic exchange material for. which e invention is especiallyadapted is the hydrocations which-enter into exchange reaction withcations contained by the water to be treated.

The hydrogen exchange materials are usually chemically treated fossilcarbonaceous substances, such as lignite, peat, sub-bituminous coal,lignin, cellulosic or carbohydrate materials,- such as wood, sawdust,grain hulls, etc., which have been become exhausted, it is regeneratedby bringing. in contact with it a dilute solution of a water solublehydrolyzable acid which forms water soluble compounds with calcium andmagnesium, such as sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and others.Because of its relatively low cost and ready availgen exchange materialwhich contains hydrogen subjected to chemical treatment, with an acidora dehydrating agent, or in other manners, to

develop cationic exchange properties.

An example is 66 Be. sulphuric acid, which contains approximately 93%H2804 by weight. For

regenerating the exchange material, this acid is diluted with water toform a solution containing approximately 1% H2804. Heretofore, the acidhas been added'to the water in the form of a batch sufllcient for one ormore regenerations and the solution is agitated until the acid isthoroughly distributed, after which the batch is fed by gravity orotherwise to the exchange material. Such batch method of preparation isslow, inconvenient and cumbersome. It is desirable that the acid befeddirectly from the primary supply to the exchange material as it isneeded, and that it be diluted simultaneously to the properconcentration. In equipment of this character, it is desirable that theentrance of water into the supply of concentrated sulphuric acid beprevented under all circumstances because, as is well known, this wouldresult in the rapid generation of heat, with the likelihood of breakageof the acid container and leakage or overflow of concentrated acidsolutiomwith resulting serious damage or injury.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus whichoperates by utilizingthe ordinary pressure water supply and performs thefollowing functions simultaneously: withdraws the concentrated acid asit is needed; measures the quantity of concentrated acid being used;dilutes the acid with water to the desired concentration; feeds theresulting solution to the water treating material, and prevents theentrance of water into the supply of concentrated acid.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system of'thischaracter which does not involve any manual mixing or handling of theacid or solution, but is carried out. entirely by means of apiping andvalve system of control.

Briefly, the invention embodies a method and apparatus by which thewater of the pressure water supply is caused to create a suction whichserves to draw concentrated acid from a primary supply container into ameasuring container The filling of the measuring container is stopped atthe desired point, and the same suction is, caused to eiiect thewithdrawal of the quality of concentrated acid from the measuringcontainer. This concentrated acid is simultaneously mixed with waterfrom the pressure water supply to produce a solution of the desiredconcentration. The solution is caused to pass to the water treatability,sulphuric acid, in concentrated form, is 5- ing material. A system ofvalves is provided which automatically prevents the entrance of waterinto the supply or concentrated acid.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan viewof the apparatus of this'invention,and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fractional sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig.1, with the ejector turned 90' counterclockwiseiso that it indicates.water flow in an upward direction instead of horizontally to the rightas the flow takes place in Fig. 1).

Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises the water treating tank Itwhich contains a bed of particles of the cationic exchange material (notshown). The tank is equipped with handhole members H and 12 at its upperand lower portions to provide access to the interior for any servicingwhich may be required. The details of the tank and of the water treatingmaterial form no 'part of this invention, and are known and need not bedescribed herein. A piping system is connected to the tank In, and thiscomprises a pipe l3 leading to the upper portion of the tank, above thebed of water treating material. A second pipe ll leads to the lowerportion of the tank, below the bed of treating material. qA pipe I5 isconnected to the raw water supply, which may be the municipal pressurewater system. An indicating flow meter I6 is connected in this raw watersupply.

A pipe I1 is connected between the 'raw water supply and the upperportion of the tank it,

this pipe having a valve I8 and an ejector 19 therein. The raw watersupply is also connected to the upper portion oftank H) by means ofbranch pipes 20 and 2i, pipe 2! having a valve 22 therein. Pipe 2| has apipe 23 connected thereto leading to the drain. Pipe 23 has a valve 24therein. The raw water supply is connected to the lower portion of thetank It by means of pipes 25 and 2B, and also by branch pipe 2'! whichis connected to pipe 23. Pipes 25. 26 and 2'! have valves 28, 29 and 30therein, respectively. Valve 28 is a flow indicating valve having anindicating dial upon its face. Pipe H3 leading to the lower portion ofthe tank is connected to the drain pipe 23 by means of pipe 3i. Pipe 3|has a valve 32'therein. A .pipe 33 is connected to the service lines,that is, the lines from which water is to be taken for use, and isconnected to both pipes 25 and 26 at the junction of these two. Theprimary supply of concentrated acid of the acid therein can be readilyascertained.

and the support 35 is, preferabl in the form of a container ofacid-resistant, non-shatterable material, such as metal. Container 35has a capacity as great as that of the measuring container 31, so thatin case the latter leaks or breaks, the acid will be confined by thecontainer 35.

Measuring container 31 is provided with a stopper 38 which is providedwith three openings for the passage therethrough of pipes. Suction pipe39 is connected between the suction inlet of ejector I}, see Fig. 2,'and a point above the liquid level 49 in measuring container 31.

lfor regenerating purposes is contained in con- Suction pipe 39 isdivided into two branches II and 42, both of which extend throughopenings in stopper 38 of the measuring container, branch 4i ending at apoint above the liquid level 40 and branch 42 extending to a pointadjacent the bottom of the container. These two branch pipes areprovided with valves 41 and 43 respectively. A pipe 5| connects supplycontainer 36 with measuring container 31. This pipe passes through thestoppers of these containers and extends from a point above the liquidlevel in the measuring container 31 to a point adjacent the bottom ofthe supply container 36. A vent pipe 52 is connected to pipe 52, and isprovided with a valve 53. A vent pipe 54 passes through the stopper ofcontainer 36 and vents the space above the liquid level.

The details of the ejector and the related iping are shown in-Fig. 2. Tofacilitate the description, the iejector is turned counterclockwise inFig. '2. As the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1, the raw water underpressure flows through the ejector from left to right. In consequence ofthe turning of the ejector in Fig. 2; the flow is upwardly in Fig. 2-.The ejector is connected to supply pipe H and comprises a constrictingnozzle 55, which is surrounded by suction cavity 56. The nozzle andsuction cavity both lead to the mixing chamber 51 which communicateswith the continuation of supply pipe l1. 'A conduit member 58 isconnected to the ejector I3 and communicates with the suction chamber 56thereof. The conduit member 56 has needle valve 59 therein adapted toregulate the flow of liquid therethrough. The conduit.

member isconnected by suitable fittings, includ ing a T-member 60, tothe suction pipe 39. A check valve BI is located between the T-member 6Dand the suction pipe 39. Check valve 6! is adapted to permit flow fromthe suction line to the ejector, and to prevent flow in the oppositedirection. The other branch of T-member 60 is connected to waste pipe63. A check valve 64 is provided at the entrance to wastepipe 63. and isadapted to prevent the entrance of air or water during the occurrence ofsuction. or vacuum, in T-member 60, and to permit flow of water to thewaste in case pressure, instead of suction, occurs in T-member 60. Theoutlet end of waste pipe 63 is arranged to be located at a point readilyvisible to the operator for reasons which will be pointed outhereinafter.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows. During the time that theapparatus .is in the normal water treating service, valves I8, 24. 28,30,32 and 59 are closed, and valves 22 and 23 are open. The raw waterflows to the apparatus from supply pipe l5, through indicating meter l6,pipes 20, 2| and I3 to the top of the treating tank l0, downwardlythrough the treating material to the bottom of the tank, and thencethrough pipes I4, 25 and 33 to the service connections where the treatedwater is'to be used.

It is stated above that-valve 28 is closed during 7 this operation, butit may be partially opened.

A hydrogen exchange material reacts to form the corresponding acids fromthe chlorides and sulphates, etc., which may be present in the rawwater. As a result, the eflluent water may be slightly acid. As ageneral thing, the raw water contains acid-neutralizing substances, anda neutral output water may be obtained by mixing some of the raw waterwith the eflluent, and this may be done by opening valve 28 the requiredamount. Thisvalve has a dial on its face so that the amount of waterwhich is by-passed around the treating tank is visibly indicated.Usually, the amount of raw water required to neutralize the efliuent issmall and produces no objectionable efiect upon the treated water.

After the treating material has become exhausted so that it requiresregeneration, the flow of water to service is discontinued. Usually, thefirst step in the regeneration cycle is to backwash the bed by passingwater upwardly through it at a rate adapted to carry off the sedimentwhich has collected upon the top' of the bed, and to loosen and separatethe particles of treating material. A flow rate of approximately 4gallons per square foot of bed area per minute, or a. slightly higherrate, is usually satisfactory. To accomplish the -backwashing operation,valves I8, 22, 28, 29, 32 and 59 are closed (valves I8, 32 and 59 beingclosed from the previous operation), and valves 24 and 39 are opened.The water then flows from. supply pipe through pipes 20, 21 and I4 tothe bottom of the treating tank, upwardly through the treating material,out of the top of the tank and through pipes l3 and 23 to the drain.

After the cleansing operation is completed, the next operation is theregeneration proper of the treating material. It Y is assumed that, atthe beginning, the measuring container 31 is empty.

Valves l3 and 32 in the main piping system are now opened, and valves22, 24, 28, 29 and 30 are closed (valves 22, 28 and 29 being closedfrom.

the previous operation), and valves" and 59 in the suction systemleading to the acid containers are opened and valves 48 and 53areclosed. The raw water now passes from supply pipe l5 through pipe l1,ejector l9 and pipe l3 into the top of the treating tank, downwardlythrough the-treating material and out of the treating tank and by way ofpipes l4, 3| and 23 to the drain. A suction is created within suctoregulate the rate ofacid withdrawal. -By correlating the adjustment ofwater flow valve l8 and acid iiowvalve 59, the proper rate of acid feedand concentration of solution for the regeneration is readily obtained.After the desired settings have been ascertained, they may be re cordedor marked, or at least that of valve 59 may be marked, so that thecorrect conditions may be duplicated readily for each succeedingregeneration.

After the acid in container 31 has been withdrawn, valve 48 may be.closed. In the procedure described heretofore, container 31 is filled withthe proper amount of acid for one regeneration. However, it maybe'filled with more than this amount of acid, and in such case, it isnecessary to close valve 58 when the proper amount has been. withdrawn.The raw-water is permitted'to continue to flow at the proper ratedownwardly through the bed of treating material to impel theregenerating solution through the bed ahead of it, and to rinse the bed.Durirm this time, valve ll may be opened again and valve 53 may beclosed, to draw acid from supply container 36in the correct amount forthe next regenerating operation.

After the passage of the regenerating solution through the bed issubstantially complete and only a. small amount remains, the flushingmay be carried out at a more rapid rate to promote the thoroughness andreduce the time of rinsing. To accomplish this, valve 22 is opened.

"After the rinsing operation is completed, the

apparatus is in readiness for treating water tion chambcr 56 of ejectorl9, and is transmitted through conduit member 58 and pipes 39 and I! tothe upper portion of measuring container 31. Check valve 84 in the wastepipe 63 is closed and forms an air seal. The suction in the measuringcontainer 31 serves to draw concentrated acid from the supply container35 through pipe 5! and into the measuring container 31. This iscontinued until the measuragain, and the piping system is returned tothe valve arrangement described first above for the normal treatmentofthe water and passage thereof to service.

The arrangement of check valves SI and 64, see

Fig. 2, insures that no water will be permitted to enter the containerfor concentrated acid. As is well known, if water is added to a bodyofconcentrated sulphuric acid, heat is generated at a high rate, andpossibly with the development of ing container 31 has been filled to theliquid level which represents the correct amount of acid for aregeneration. Valve 41 is then closed to stop the flow of acid, andvalve 53 is opened to break the vacuum and stop any flow of acid intothe measuring container which may take place by a syphoning action. I

Valve 48 in the suction line is then opened. The ejector then draws acidfrom the measuring container 37, through pipe 52. Pipe 5| and vent pipe52 permit air to replace the withdrawn acid. This acid is mixed anddiluted with raw water in the mixing chamber 51 of the ejector to asolution of the desired concentration, which maybe a 1% solution, asstated heretofore. In practice,'the passage of the regenerating acidthrough the treating material usually is regulated so as to 'occupy apredetermined period of time to insure complete reaction. For thispurpose, the measuring container' maybe provided with graduations Ill sothat the rate of withdrawal of acid may be regulated. The valve l8disruptive pressure. It is, therefore, important that precautions betaken to make this impossible. In the event of a condition arising inwhich there is pressure, instead of suction, in the suction chamber 56of ejector i 9, water under pressure is transmitted through the conduitmember 58 to the T-member 60. It is prevented, however, from beingtransmitted to the suction pipe 39 by'check valve 6|. It is desirablethat this pressure be relieved, and that an indication be given that theimproper condition exists. For this purpose, check valve 64 and wastepipe 63 are provided. Check valve 64 permits the flow of such water intothe waste pipe 63. The output end of waste pipe 63 is preferablyarranged in a position such as to be visible to the operator, as isshown in the drawing, so that the operator will see the water issuingfrom it and will known that there is pressure upon the suction systemand will take the proper steps to rectify the situation. I I

To illustrate with an example, during normal service valve 22 is openand valve [8 is closed.

and the flow meter 1 6 may be used to regulate the water flow and theconcentration of the acid solution and needle valve 59 may be employedThere is water under pressure in pipe l3 and this is'transmitted toejector l9 and the suction chamber 56 thereof. Needle valve 59 isnormally closed, preventing the water under pressure from entering thesuction piping system. Should the operator have failed to close valve 59when initiating the serviceoperation, the water under pressure istransmitted as far as the check valve p The apparatus of 6|, but isprevented by this valve from entering the suction pipe 39 and into theacid container 31. At the same time, check valve 64 opens to permit theflow of water through waste pipe 63 and 'out'of the output end thereof.The operator will observe this flow, and proceed to close valve Thewaste outlet pipe 63 may be connected directly to the regular drainpipes of the building in which the apparatus is located, if desired, andother means may be provided for indicating to the operator that abnormalpressure conditions exist in the suction system.

The invention provides a convenient apparatus in which all steps ofoperation are carried out continuously by the manipulation of valves,and

without any manual mixing or handling of the acid. The undesirableaddition of a batchof acid to a batch of water and mixing, followed bythe feeding of the batch of solution to the water treating container fora single regenerating operation, is avoided. Furthermore, the samesuction apparatus which serves to withdraw acid for the regeneratingfunction also serves to accomplish the measuring which is necessary witha liquid regenerating agent.

Another advantage of the apparatus described is that there is no dangerof leakage from the acid container. In some apparatus for the feeding ofregenerating acid, the acid is forced by means of pressure from thecontainer. In the present apparatus, the interiors of the acidcontainers 36 and 31 are never under pressure, but are rather subjectedto a vacuum, or suction, whereby the stoppers are drawn more tightlyinto position, and any danger of acid leakage is avoided.

Those portions of the system which are in contact with acid are composedof suitable acid resisting material. Special acid-resisting steels maybe used, or steel lined with acid-resisting coatings, ormetalsobtainable on the market at the present time under the trade marks Moneland Everdur. Lead and glass are also suitable, and leadand glass-linedmetal may be used.

While but one embodiment of the invention has been described andillustrated, it is apparent that modifications thereof may be madewithin the scope of the invention. For example, the measuring container31 may be omitted and concentrated acid may be drawn directly from theprimary supply container 36 to the ejector IS. The primary supplycontainer may, in such case, carry measuring indicia. Pipe 42 would leadto the supply container and pipes 4| and would be omitted. Also, thevarious valves in the main.

piping system, such as valves I8, 22, 24, 29, 30

and 32, may be replaced by one single control valve. Single controlvalves of this character are known.

The tank unit, instead of a pressure unit. That is, the passage ofliquid through it may be effected by gravity and not by pressure of thesupply'system.

The eflluent from the unit would, in such case be,

gravity, to the desired points. this inventionis adapted for supplyingregenerating liquid to such a unit.

As stated heretofore, the apparatus of the invention is adapted forother applications. It may pumped, or fed by It may be what is called agravity points above and below-the liquid level in said the upper to thelower measuring container, valve means in said conduit means fortransferring the suction from portion of said measuring container, asupply container for said regenerating liquid, conduit means leadingfrom a point below the liquid level in said supply container to a pointabove the liquid level in sald measuring container, 9. check valve insaid suction line between said ejector and said measuring containeradapted to close against the flow of liquid to said measuring container,conduit means leading to waste connected to said suction line betweensaid ejector and said check valve, a check valve in said waste pipe andbeing adapted to open when pressure, instead of suction, occurs in saidsuction line, a valve in said suction line between said conduit meansleading to waste and said ejector, and means for venting, at will, thespace above the liquid in said measuring container. 1

2. In a water treating apparatus employing exchange reaction watertreating material, inlet and outlet pipes leading to and from saidexchange. reaction material respectively, asource of water-underpressure connected to said inlet pipe, an ejector connected in saidinlet pipe, means for subjecting the suction inlet of said ejector topressure and suction respectively, at will, a measuring containeradapted to contain a liquid regenerating agent, conduit, means connectedto the suction inlet of said ejector and forming a suction line leadingseparately to points above and below the liquid level in said measuringcontainer, a supply container for said regenerating liquid, conduitmeans leading from a point be employed for supplying a sterilizing agentto a body. The tank l0 may contain or represent the material or body tobe sterilized, and the concentrated liquid sterilizing agent may becontained in the containers 36 and 31.

below the liquid level in said supply container to a point above theliquid level in said measuring container, valve means in said conduitmeans for transferring the suction from the upper to the lowerportion ofsaid measuring container, and valve means in said suction line betweensaid ejector and said measuring container adapted to remain open in thepresence of suction and to close automatically when pressure, instead ofsuction, occurs in said suction line, and means for venting, at will,the space above the liquid in said measuring container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the measuring container is oftransparent glass and is contained in a second container ofnonshatterable composition.

4. Apparatus for supplying a. liquid reacting agent to a point of use,comprising inlet and outlet pipes leading to and from said point of use,a source of water under pressure connected to said inlet pipe, anejector connected in said inlet pipe, means for subjecting the suctioninlet of said ejector to pressure and suction respectively,

at will, a closed measuring container adapted to contain a liquidreacting agent, conduit means connected to the suction inlet of saidejector and forming a suction line leading separately to points aboveand below the liquid level in said measuring' container, valve means insaid conduit means for transferring the suction from the upper to thelower portion of said measuring container, a supply container for saidreacting liquid, conduit means leading from a point below the liquidlevel in Said supply container to a point above.

the liquid level in said measuring container, valve means in saidsuction line between said ejector and said measuring container forclosing against the flow of liquid in sa d suction line,

and manually operable means for venting the space above the liquid insaid measuring container.

5. In a water treatment apparatus employing exchange reaction watertreating material, inlet and outlet pipes leading to and from saidexchange material respectively, a source of water under pressureconnected to said inlet pipe, an ejector connected in said inlet pipe,means for subjecting the suction inlet of said ejector to pressure andsuction respectively, at will, a container adapted to contain a liquidregenerating agent, conduit means connected to the suction inlet of saidejector and forming a suction line leading to a point below the liquidlevel in said regenerating agent container, a check valve in saidsuction line between said ejector and said regenerating agent containeradapted to close against the flow of liquid to said container, conduitmeans leading to waste connected to said suction line between saidejector and said first valve, a check valve in said waste pipe and beingadapted to open upon the occurrence of pressure, instead of suction, insaid suction line, and a valve in said suction line between said conduitmeans leading to waste and said ejector.

6. Apparatus for supplying a liquid reacting agent to a point of use,comprising inlet and outlet pipes leading to and from said piont of use,a source of water under pressure connected to said inlet pipe, anejector connected in said inlet pipe, means for subjecting the suctioninlet of said ejector to pressure and suction respectively, at will, acontainer adapted to contain a liquid reacting agent, conduit meansconnected tothe suction inlet of said ejector and leading to a pointbelow the liquid level in said reacting agent container, valve means insaid suction line between said ejector and said reacting agent containerfor closing against the flow of liquid to said container, conduit meansleading to waste connected to said suction line between said ejector andsaid first valve, and valve means in said the occurrence of pressure,instead of suction,-

in said suction line.

7. Apparatus for supplying a liquid reacting agent to a point of use,comprising an inlet pipe leading to said point of use, a source of wateunder pressure connected to said inlet pipe, an ejector connected insaid inlet pipe and adapted to feed liquid into said inlet pipe bysuction, a closed secondary supply container adapted to contain a liquidreacting agent, conduit means connected to the suction inlet'of saidejector and forming a suction line leading separately to points aboveand below the liquid level in said secondary supply conta ner, valvemeans in said conduit means for transferring the suction from the upperto the lower portion of said secondary supply container, a primarysupply container for said reacting liquid, conduit means leading from apoint below the liquid level in said primary supply container to a pointabove the liquid level in said secondary supply container, valve meansin said suction line between said ejector and said secondary supplycontainer for closing said suction line at will against the flow ofliquid therein, and manually operable means for venting the space abovethe liquid in said secondary container.

8. Apparatus for supplying a liquid reacting agent to a point of use,comprising an inlet pipe leading to said point of use, a source of waterunder pressure connected in said inlet pipe, an ejector connected insaid inlet pipe and adapted to feed liquid into said inlet pipe bysuction, a closed secondary supply container adapted to contain a liquidreacting agent, conduit means connected to the suction'inlet of saidejector and forming a, suction line leading separately to points aboveand below the liquid level in said secondary supply container, a primarysupply container for said reacting liquid, conduit means leading from apoint below the liquid level in said primary supply container to saidsecondary supply container, valve means in said suction line fortransferring the suction from the upper to the lower portion of saidsecondary supply container, valve means in said suction line betweensaid ejector and said secondary supply container for closing against theflow of liquid in said suction line, and manually operable means forventing the space above the liquid in said secondary container.

MILTON J. SHOEMAKER.

